Mitts off, carnivores! With a melty layer of pepper jack and a slather of smoky Chipotle Mayo, these spicy vegetarian sliders are tough to resist, whether you're a meat-eater or not. Make-ahead tip: Form patties, place them on a cookie sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours until ready to cook.
Yield: 16sliders
Ingredients
For the chipotle mayonnaise:
1/2cupmayonnaise
2teaspoonsfinely chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauceseeds removed for a milder mayo; leave them in for more heat
1teaspoonadobo saucefrom the can of chipotles
1small clove garlicminced) (about 1/2 teaspoon
Pinchkosher salt
For the black bean patties:
1(15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1egg
1/2small yellow onionfinely chopped) (about 1/2 cup
2teaspoonsadobo saucefrom a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1teaspoondried oregano
1/2teaspooncumin
1/4teaspoonsmoked paprika
1/8teaspooncayenne pepperoptional
1/2teaspoonkosher salt
1/8teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
2tablespoonsolive oil
For the sliders:
16slider buns or dinner rollssliced in half
8ouncespepper jack cheesesliced thin
1/2red onionsliced
Sliced sweet pickles
Instructions
Make the chipotle mayonnaise:
Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.
Make the black bean patties:
Place beans in a small bow and mash with a fork or potato masher. Add egg, bread crumbs, adobo sauce, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), salt and pepper. Mix well.
Form into one-ounce patties - about 2 tablespoons per patty - by rolling mixture into a ball, packing together firmly, then flattening slightly.
Add the olive oil to a large saute pan over medium heat. Working in batches so that the burgers aren't too crowded, cook one one side until browned - about 5 minutes, then carefully flip and cook until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes total.
Remove patties to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain and cool slightly.
Assemble the sliders:
Put slider buns sliced-side up on a cookie sheet. Add black bean patties to the bottom halves of the buns and top with cheese. Place under oven broiler until cheese has melted and buns are golden brown, about one minute (depending on your broiler - just watch carefully!)
Remove from oven and slather chipotle mayo on the inside of the bun tops. Top burgers with red onions and pickles, sandwich with the bun top, and secure with a toothpick or skewer. Serve immediately.
Notes
Dairy-Free Option
Omit the cheese.Black bean patty recipe adapted from Whole Foods